Theos-Talk Archives (December 1995 Message tl00384)

According to theos-l@vnet.net:
>
> Alan
> --
> Member Theosophy International - how about you?
Alan--
I asked to be signed up in a private email but have yet to
appear on the list. So now I'll ask publicly-- please sign me
up. I'm glad to be #14 instead of #13!

Keith--
> Some might find the idea of a mediation focused on the solstice as a little
> naive a little childish a little primitive and frankly a little low class
> --kind of like using an idol for prayer or something. Zen and other types of
> "pure" meditation would tend to merge the object of contemplation and the ego
> in a kind of grand unity. Yet depth ecology and other movements bewail our
> seperation from the natural cyles. Some people experience depression in the
> cold winter light. Our bodies still long for a sign a symbol a synchronicity
> to echo our inner processes of despair release and renewal..

You might find Purucker's The Four Sacred Seasons of interest.
See you in Shambhala tonight :

Gregory/Coherence--
> First I have to attribute a certain amount of over-sensitivity to you KPJ
> due to the withering contumely heaped on your pour head the last year. Such
> assault wreaks havoc on the nervous system so that the slightest rub even if
> only perceived produces a pain not unlike the original. And may I be so
> bold as to presume that the assault and accusations directed at you did not
> all come from the collective condescension of the "ULT Brahmins" but rather
> from your TS Brothers?
True enough about my oversensitivity to personal criticism and
condemnation in the wake of a rough year. Which I will be
glad to see end. But I didn't feel *personally* condescended
to but just one of many on the list. Am glad to learn that
you don't intend to communicate this. As for where the
assaults and accusations come from first consider that the
*only* favorable reviews comments or letters my books have received from
Theosophists have come from the Adyar TS members: Edward Hower
in the New York Times Book Review Joy Mills in The
Quest Claire Walker in Reflections of a Theosophist John
Cooper in Theosophy in Australia Stephan Hoeller in Gnosis
Bill Laudahn in a letter to The Quest Jerry H-E forgot the
publication name and several kind people
here. Whereas the two negative reviews I've seen came from a
single person also in the Adyar TS. As for condemnations in
other formats how many of these are ULT associates: D. Ten Broeck
D. Eklund N. Weeks aren't they both Adyar and ULT?
R. Townley M. Kirschenbaum D. Caldwell who years ago ignored my
question about his Theosophical affiliation about
which I therefore remain ignorant? Not that I'm keeping
score; as you see I don't even know the affiliations of most of
these people. But ULT does seem overrepresented as far as I
can tell; and despite some real pain over the two bad Adyar
reviews I feel that at least this society has room for vigorous
differences of opinion which doesn't seem the case elsewhere
in the movement as much.

In this specific instance the sweeping
> characterisation of ULT students was inappropriate and also assumes that I am
> a member or associate of ULT which I have not claimed.

It seemed you had implied it. Sorry. Are you not?
>
> Because of this attitude I too have perceived I recently wrote an article
> for a publication put out by ULT students addressing this very issue.
> Basically my point was that from my experience here on the Internet with
> you I have learned that there is a wide variety of expressions of Theosophy
> by as many students and one should not be too quick to label something as
> "Not Theosophy" or a student as "Not a Theosophist" It is the exposure to
> other ideas that liberalizes and ULT students need a bit of liberalizing.
> So on this point I have to agree with you and because of my agreement with
> you it is difficult to have the condescending accusation stick.

So that was you in Ergates? I credited Rich with the piece--
shows what anonymity can do.
>
> foreign to me and many of which I firmly disagree with. Are all dissenter
> condescending?

No I have just found the "not adhering enough to the lines
laid down" argument from ULT members as somewhat condescending
in its expression. The tone of the book The Theosophical
Movement 1875-1950 certainly is towards Adyar and Pasadena
but that has nothing to do with you.

At times it is disturbing but as mentioned above
> enlightening at the same time. However the "sad state of most Theosophists
> on theos-l" words are yours and not mine. Please limit your personal
> projections onto me.

Gotta plead innocent here. I wasn't projecting anything just
describing the impression conveyed by some of your "I'm
appalled by you people" messages early on-- which you may not
have been aware of.
>
> Your comment on my "best laught" at your words about Cayce as being
> condescending. This is an unfortunate misunderstanding. In your post of the
> Theosophist's reply to the Caycian words "God loves you" I genuinely
> thought you were being funny. It is the humor which can result when we see
> ourselves in the mirror which is reflecting our countenance a little too
> clearly. I got a great chuckle out of it and I thought I was laughing with
> you.

Sorry; at first I thought that's what you meant but then
started to think it was my "God loves you anyway" that you
found amusing-- which was OK too. Guilty to oversensitivity.

>
> A final comment about the political discussions I have only been
> encouraging if blunt. I have stated and this can be verified "Get
> organized change the system correct the poor judgement of the board assert
> yourselves make the TS into the group the Masters intended or get rid of
> it and follow the philosophy on your own." I find it difficult to
> understand how suggesting that this take place on a separate list devoted to
> such matters is condescending.

OK.
>
> I have spoken my piece in my defense. It is the Holidays. All of you have
> taught me something and I thank you. Friends?
Friends.
Paul
trying to come up with something like "Coherence" or
"Perspicacity" that fits-- how about "Persistence"? I've got
more of that than coherence or perspicacity alas.